Hospitality Design - September 2011 - 32

perspectives
social hub

sketchbook

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts is rethinking its lobby experience. Dubbed the Le Méridien Hub, it recreates the lobby as what it should be—a social gathering place. “The evolution of the hub was a natural extension of Le Méridien’s new brand direction, designed to appeal to the creative class,” says Eva Ziegler, the brand’s global brand leader. “We are seeking to draw guests away and out of their rooms into a communal space where they can converse, debate, and exchange ideas.” The Hub is divided into three zones: arrival, interaction, and Latitude Bar. The entryway features high-impact artwork created by the brand’s LM100 members; there’s also contemporary artwork used in unexpected ways at check-in and the elevator banks. In fact, the arrival experience is for all senses—guests can smell Le Méridien’s signature LM01 scent developed by Le Labo and listen to a 24-hour soundscape in the elevators created by Grammy Award-winning composer Henri Scars Struck. The interaction zone is for just that—interacting—with communal tables and coffeehouse-style seating. There’s also a library lled with cultural books curated by LM100 members Richard and Rana Florida. And the Latitude Bar offers coffee and food by day, and a wine bar atmosphere at night. “The Hub is the evolution of our on-going work to re-set guests minds as

they enter our hotels and to provide a coffeehouse atmosphere,” Ziegler says. “We found that the rst 10 minutes of a guest’s stay de nes their mindset for the entire stay.”

two for one
Re ecting Vienna’s long-held cultural esteem as the imperial hub of the former Hapsburg Empire, JOI-Design’s renovation of the Hilton Vienna Danube (shown) capitalizes on the backlit panels studded with multi-hued wine bottles, and a “glowing” onyx bar all introduce a luminosity, which subtly references the glints of light re ected by the river’s surface. In the lounge, a two-way replace creates a warming focal point, while Viennese Secession-styled joinery is made modern with splashes of colorful upholstery. Meanwhile, for the suites at the Le Méridien Stuttgart, the rm took inspiration from the panoramic views of the 10th century and Baroque castles in Schlossgarten Park’s 650-year-old palace garden as well as the city’s vibrant, artistic heritage. Says Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk, JOI’s managing director: “With traditional moldings, a working Carmen red granite replace in the living room, and majestic mirrors that capture the daylight and verdant surroundings, the Diplomatic suite mixes residential comforts with modern art and materials such as a disc-shaped ‘ oating’ chandelier crafted from perforated metal, which scatters ethereal twinkles of light across the dining room. In the bedrooms, oral wallcoverings in tone-on-tone gray hues along with fresh white furniture and millwork create a delightfully feminine feel.”

island paradise
After undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation, the Hayman, a Great Barrier Reef destination in Australia, reopened in August. Among its highlights are the eight new Beach Villas by acclaimed Australian architect Kerry Hill. “The villas are designed to be tropical modern residences,” says Hill. “They utilize traditional tropical devices such as the screen and the courtyard to moderate the climate.”

hotel’s riverside location. “We conceived an open uidity between spaces to balance the heaviness of the structure’s angular architecture in the public areas,” says JOI’s managing director, Peter Joehnk. Transparent glass balustrades, a chandelier composed of handblown “ oating” Murano glass bubbles,

Rich-grained woods and soothing natural-toned furnishings provide a private and secluded feeling, with each room featuring a king-sized bed, separate daybed, open-plan bathroom with sunken bath, and private courtyard with a garden and outdoor rainwater shower. Open screened external galleries connect living and sleeping spaces, allowing a direct connection to the environment, while the villas’ views of the Whitsunday Passage are layered through the ne timber screens. “As the screens weather to a silver color, they tie the building to the eucalypt trees that mark the island,” Hill says. “The materiality of the building mirrors its context, being bold yet delicate at the same time, offering occupants calming surrounds in which to enjoy Hayman.”

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - September 2011
